Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-10-29
Mr.. Blaine in Europe.

A medium sized man, with elear-cut
features, q gray mustache and gotee and the
air of one who had CLEANED some knowledge
of the world and its affairs from his forty or
fifty years of life, stood leaning against the
news stand in the St. James hotel corridor,
New York, looking over the daily papers. 1t
was r C.. Kerens, of ST. Louis. Mr.. kerens
is vice president of the ST. Louis, Arkansas
and Texas railway system, president of the
Eureka Springs Railway Company, and one
of the men of the West who have grown up
with that thriving region and kept pace with
its advances in wealth and power. Mr.
Kerens started out in life at the bottom of
the ladder, but he is now worth million or
more, and is interested in great many pro-
jects for the development of the Southwest
besides the Texas railway system. He re-
turned from a two month"; tour Of Europe on
Sunday, and is tarrying in the city while his
family finish the shopping expedition on
which they came East. Mr.. Kerens met Mr..
Blaine several times while abroad.
"Did you leave Mr. Blaine in good health
and spirits 2" asked Tribune reporter.
swell, so many deliberate untruths have
been printed here about Mr.. Blaine that l
don't know that care to talk about him, !"
replied Mr.. Kerens, as he folded up his news
paper and slid it into his pocket. 81 saw him
on two occasions while abroad-once in Ham,
burg and later on in PARIS. where he is at
present. Twas in the French capital a week
before I sailed for home, and | saw Mr.
Blaine every day. He is in the best of health
and spirits-in fact, though I have known
him for years, cannot recall time when he
seemed so well or so free from cares of any
kind. This trip has made him ten years
younger in looks and spirits. You see, it is
really the first vacation he has had for nearly
a quarter of a century, and coming right on
ton of the hard work he did on his books. il
has taken an immense strain from him. He
Is ENJOYING himself hugely. and 30 is Mrs
Blaine. They 90 everywhere. see every.
thing and everybody. and are accorded the
most courteous and hospitable attention on
all sides"
"Has he aeon anv of the reports that have
been printed here about his doings?"
"Yes. most of them. heard him express
his surprisa while was in Paris at the a.
mount Of stuff that had found ito way into the
American newspapers. He likes to talk with
tbose of his countrvmen whom he meets
about American affairs. Int he has nothing
to saw on political topics. In fact. it seemed
to me that he was utterly indifferent 10 affairs
relating to himself. for he certainly does
nothing and SAWS nothing to indicate that he
ia interested personallv in the drift of Ameri-
can poli,ics. He has ONLY general idea
about what will be the length of his STAY in
E,rone. II will possibly last until June
probablv. however. not so long. He has
made no definite plans. His intention. when
I left. was to 20 70 the south of France for a
month or so and then drift around to other
nlaces with an equally agreeable climate"
.Tbe cabled reports indicate that he is VI ell
received evervwbere."
eyes there can be no question about that"
renlied Mr.. Ksrens. "The night | left him
he had. I learned, invitations covering every
evening for the NEXT two weeks. during which
he would be entertained separately by eyerv
memher of the French Cabinet. including